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Yahoo! exec joins Microsoft search team
Live Search gets a boost

By Ina Fried

Published: Friday 21 November 2008

Microsoft confirmed Thursday that it has hired Yahoo! search executive Sean Suchter, following speculation this week that he would be joining the software maker after his departure from Yahoo! was announced.

Microsoft search head Satya Nadella said in a statement: "We are very pleased to confirm that Sean Suchter will be joining Microsoft as the GM of our Silicon Valley Search Technology Center, working on Live Search." Suchter, who starts work 22 December, will report to Harry Shum, corporate vice president of Search Product Development.

The news comes as CEO Steve Ballmer reiterated at Microsoft's shareholder meeting Wednesday that it has no interest in buying all of Yahoo!, though it remains open to a search partnership.

Microsoft would not comment on a report that another former Yahoo! search executive, Qi Lu, is under consideration to head Microsoft's online efforts.